Obituaries
EVELYN BELL NUMEROW
With deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Evelyn Numerow at her home in Richmond, BC on the morning of December 26, 2020.
Evelyn will be dearly missed by her children Leonard (Danna), David (Susan), and Michael, her sister Gail Nep and nephew Dustin Shore (Michelle Livingston), her grandchildren Kevin, Allison, Jennifer, Jeffery, Logan, Benjamin and her great-niece Jaden. She also leaves many cousins and relatives including William (Ann) Gleberzon and family, Sandy (Howard) Collerman and family, and Mickey (Gerry) Namak and family. Mom will also be greatly missed by her special friend Harris Gulko.
Evelyn was predeceased by husbands Kenneth Numerow (1990), Samuel Brownstone (2002), her parents Jennie (2002) and Louis Nep (1954), her brother Gerald Nep (2009) and Gail’s husband Blair Dawe (2002)
Mom was born at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, growing up in the North End. After the unfortunate early passing of her father Louis, she almost single-handedly raised her sister Gail, while her mother worked. After obtaining her Manitoba’s teachers certificate, she taught at Collicut school for several years before settling down to have her 3 boys. During those childhood years, mom was a staunch supporter of Jewish education for her children, becoming active on the Rosh Pina Synagogue Education Committee and supporting the boys through their USY days. From there she became active in Sisterhood, becoming President for many years during the 1990’s. She was especially proud for being the Honoree for the 2011 Etz Chayim Torah Fund Brunch.
Evelyn was also a wonderful cook and pastry chef. After refining these talents at the Synagogue for many years, she co-founded the bakery “How Sweet It Is”, providing pastries to locations including the Westin hotel for many years. And everybody truly loved her masterpiece creation: the Brandy Alexander Torte. After this, she ran the family business, Numerow Trading Company, successfully for more than 30 years. Mom also had a strong love for music. In her early days, she was active in high school musicals and productions. As children, the boys all remember music continually playing in the house or cottage on her favorite radio station CJOB. Later in life, she received pleasure from leading and participating in singing at multiple Sisterhood conventions. She passed this love for music onto her children and all of her grandchildren. You should have seen her kvel when Logan was given the honor to sing the Kol Nidre prayer at shul in Richmond! Evelyn was also a regular attendee and supporter of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Mom also loved to spend winters with her sister Gail, family, and friends in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Thank you to our special friend in Mexico Kina Castaneda for all of her help there. And it was in Mexico that mom solidified the special relationship she had with Dustin, since he was a child. Dustin “loved his Auntie Evy” like a mother.
In 2003, the family discovered a summer vacation spot in Okanagan Falls, BC. Mom spent many hot summers with her children and grandchildren swimming in the beautiful waters and tasting incredible wines throughout the countryside.
In 2010, Mom met the next love of her life, Harris Gulko. They spent many happy years together in Winnipeg, Okanagan Falls, and Puerto Vallarta, eventually moving to Richmond BC in 2017 to be closer to both of their families.
Everybody will remember Evelyn for her strength, wisdom, charm, and great sense of humor. We can still hear her contagious laugh. And she cared deeply for everybody around her.
We want to express special thanks to Yuko Abeyama and her team of so many wonderful caregivers from Nikoniko Quality Care in Richmond, BC. who helped mom to live with comfort and dignity at home, for those last 6 months.
Evelyn was interred beside her husband Ken at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery in Winnipeg, MB, Canada on Wed. Dec. 30, 2020. Shiva was observed privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Beth Tikvah Congregation & Centre of Richmond, BC.
Obituaries
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.